New requirements for motor vehicle inspections in New Jersey

Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, Assembly Deputy Speaker John J. Burzichelli, and Assemblywoman Celeste M. Riley are advising constituents of the new requirements under the recently changed New Jersey Vehicle Inspection Program.

“Recent budget cuts have resulted in significant changes to New Jersey’s Vehicle Inspection Program,” said Sweeney. “We would like to highlight these changes in the New Year so that our residents are well aware of how often their vehicle needs to be inspected, and what they will still be held accountable for at that time.”

As of Aug. 1, 2010, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission eliminated the mechanical defects portion of the Vehicle Inspection Program. The majority of passenger vehicles will now only be tested for emissions on a biennial basis.

Inspections will no longer be conducted to check for working lights, turn signals, or any other previously inspected mechanical safety aspects. Vehicles purchased within five model years will not be required to receive emissions inspection until they are five model years old.

Commercial vehicles and buses must receive inspection on an annual basis for both safety and emissions. Motorcycles will now be exempt from inspections all together.

“It’s important to remember that while the inspection program will no longer look for mechanical defects such as broken tail lights or turn signals, our police officers will,” added Burzichelli. “The responsibility now lies with the vehicle’s owner to conduct their own inspections, to check if their lights are working properly, and to make sure that their vehicles are safe enough for the roads.”

“It is very important for motorists to remember that the purpose of maintaining a safe vehicle was not simply to pass inspection or avoid a traffic ticket, but to ensure that their vehicle is safe enough to share the roads with other drivers,” said Riley. “We encourage all residents to occasionally have a friend or family member stand outside of their car, and assist them with their own personal inspection.”

Vehicles can be inspected at either a Centralized Inspection Facility or a Private Inspection Facility. Local inspection facilities, as well as appointment information, can be found online at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s website at www.state.nj.us/mvc/Inspections